Filed to story: Seventeen Heartbreaks: When Love Has No Voice
Leila wasn’t sure if she was imagining things, but Elma looked peaceful, a soft smile on her face, like she was having a nice dream.
Taking a deep breath to steady herself, Leila stepped into the room. Her expression was a mix of emotions as she met Landon’s eyes. “Mr. Kensington, is there something I can help you with?” she asked, her voice cool and measured.
Landon’s face was an impassive mask, his emotions carefully concealed. He sat down beside Elma’s bed. “I came to see my daughter,” he stated simply.
His words hung in the air, creating a thick blanket of tension.
Leila shifted uncomfortably, wishing she could disappear. Just as she was about to take her leave, Landon spoke quietly. “Thank you.”
Leila was initially taken aback, but then she glanced at Elma and understood his gratitude.
Despite his gratitude, Leila couldn’t hold back her anger. “Instead of thanking me, you should apologize to Calvin. Your wife did something wrong to him.”
“She…” Landon started to explain. He was about to clarify that Cara wasn’t actually his wife, but he stopped himself, realizing it was irrelevant. He massaged his temples, trying to mask his growing frustration and disgust with the situation.
“I’m sorry,” Landon said, his voice tight with suppressed emotion. “Apologies on behalf of Cara. She harmed your son. I hope you can forgive her.”
“Some things are unforgivable,” Leila stated coldly, turning her back on Landon and moving to Calvin’s bedside.
Leila pulled the curtain closed, effectively shutting Landon out. A wave of discomfort washed over Landon. Leila’s anger made him feel strangely nervous.
The room was silent except for the soft rhythm of their breathing.
Leila pretended to be absorbed in her phone, scrolling without really seeing anything. But out of the corner of her eye, she watched Landon’s every move. Surely, he wasn’t planning to stay the entire night? If he did, Cara would probably show up soon.
And if Cara saw her here with Calvin… Well, who knew what kind of scene Cara would create? But she couldn’t exactly move Calvin now. He was fast asleep.
Lost in thought, Leila was startled by the sound of Elma crying for her mother from behind the curtain separating the two beds. Leila’s heart jumped in her chest. She reacted instantly and pulled back the curtain, about to approach Elma’s bedside.
Leila stopped short. Landon was holding Elma, gently comforting her. He held Elma with such tenderness, as if she were something truly precious.
For a moment, Leila was stunned. The sight brought back a flood of memories, of Landon holding their daughter, Sophie, in the exact same way.
As if feeling Leila’s eyes on him, Landon looked over.
The room was dimly lit, and Leila couldn’t quite read Landon’s expression. But she imagined it held a mixture of annoyance and indifference.
Leila gripped the curtain tightly. “Her clothes are damp with sweat,” she said, her voice a bit sharper than she intended. “I was just about to change her. Since you’re here now, you can take care of it. It can’t be comfortable sleeping in wet clothes.” Landon nodded, ready to take action, but then hesitated. He glanced at Leila, a troubled look on his face. “I… Would you mind lending a hand?” he mumbled.
Leila was a bit surprised. “Shouldn’t you call a nurse? It might look a bit weird if I do it. Besides, shouldn’t you be keeping your distance from me?” Landon frowned at her words about keeping his distance, feeling a pang of frustration.
Landon gently patted Elma’s back, hoping to soothe her. “Sorry to bother you. It’s just that Elma’s a bit shy and doesn’t like strangers touching her.”
Leila realized he had a point. Plus, she had helped Elma change before, and she’d been looking after Elma all day.
Elma’s distress tugged at Leila’s heartstrings.
Leila stepped forward and gently lifted Elma from Landon’s arms. Landon watched Leila’s gentle, practiced movements, a strange thought suddenly crossing his mind. His expression became unreadable. If only Leila were Elma’s mother. The thought made Landon feel like he was losing his mind.
Leila did her best to ignore Landon’s gaze, but his eyes were fixed on her with such intensity that it was hard to pretend she didn’t notice.
Once Elma was changed into clean clothes, Leila turned to Landon and cleared her throat. “There,” she said. “Keep an eye on her tonight. She might get a fever.”
“Thank you,” Landon replied with a nod.
As Leila turned to leave, she paused, unable to contain herself any longer. “Mr. Kensington, can we have a serious conversation?” She desperately wanted to discuss Cara with him, though she was still confused and upset by his sudden change of heart.
Leila had thought it through. It was time to let go of the past and move on.
Landon agreed to have a talk with Leila, and together they stepped outside.
The hospital was quiet at this hour, save for a few nurses on their nightly duties.
Leila cast a glance at the surveillance camera at the far end of the hallway before she ushered Landon toward the stairwell.
“Mr. Kensington,” Leila began, her voice carrying a weight of seriousness. “Please have a serious talk with Miss Morgan once you’re back. Though it may be out of place for me to say this, the rift in your relationship with Miss Morgan is starting to affect my life. Elma doesn’t fall under my care. She’s your daughter, and it might not be my place, but I feel compelled to speak. She’s still so young, yet she finds herself in the midst of her parents’ disputes, absorbing sadness she doesn’t deserve.”
Landon gave Leila a meaningful look. “Are you implying I should divorce from Cara?”
Leila’s face transitioned from shock to a flash of anger. She gave a derisive snort. “Mr. Kensington, you seem to have misunderstood my words. I never look back once someone has left me. I’m not interested in you. My words are solely out of concern for Elma. Moreover, Cara inflicted pain on Calvin, and that was a significant issue.”
Leila had resolved that if effective communication with Landon proved impossible, she would turn to Clayton. The options were clear. Either they would leave, or she would. Given that the situation wasn’t of her making, she was naturally reluctant to move. However, she knew things might not go as she wished easily since Cara was far from sensible, evident in her twisted logic and lack of remorse for the harm she had inflicted on others.
Landon, caught off guard, his handsome features clouded with a flicker of panic, stammered, “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”
Leila, visibly annoyed, turned around. “It doesn’t matter. Just reflect on what I’ve told you. I hate to be so blunt, but if Cara dares to threaten me or anyone I care about, I will not tolerate it.” Leila’s eyes blazed with unhidden lethal intent.
Although Leila delivered warnings due to Cara’s wrongdoings, Landon wasn’t bothered at all.
Several minutes of silence followed Leila’s sharp remarks, with Landon offering no reply.
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“Mr. Kensington, do you need anything else?” Leila pressed on, her tone sharp.
Landon simply shook his head but made no move to leave. At that moment, the sound of Leila’s phone ringing pierced the awkward silence. It was Sophie on the line.
Sophie was restless and expressed a desire to see Leila and Calvin at the hospital. Unable to deter Sophie, Trent arranged for a few bodyguards to accompany her. Anticipating Leila’s likely refusal, Sophie chose not to inform her until she arrived at the hospital’s ground floor.
Feeling trapped, Leila knew all too well Sophie’s persistence. Refusing Sophie would only upset her. Moreover, Sophie was genuinely worried about her brother.
With a sigh, Leila spoke into the phone. “Thank you, Trent. I’ll head down now.”
Leaving the stairwell, Leila headed for the elevator, given they were on the tenth floor and the stairs would take too long. To her surprise, Landon followed.
Leila stared at him, raising her eyebrows. “Mr. Kensington, is there something else?”
Leila wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she thought she saw a flicker of confusion in Landon’s eyes. He appeared uncertain about his actions.
Indeed, Landon was unsure. Seeing Leila walk away, he instinctively caught up to her, almost as if he were compelled to follow her. In response to Leila’s inquiry, Landon cleared his throat and replied, “It’s late. It might be safer if I accompany you.”
Despite his even tone, there was an underlying warmth that was hard to define.
Leila gave him a puzzled look. After a pause, she firmly responded, “Mr. Kensington, I appreciate your concern, but this isn’t appropriate. If we were seen together, it could lead to misunderstandings.”
At her rejection, Landon pressed his lips together, his fists tightening at his sides. “You’re right. I apologize. That was thoughtless of me. Actually, there’s a reason why I followed you. I’m deeply sorry for what Cara did to your son, and I hoped to apologize to your daughter personally on her behalf.”
Leila shook her head gently. “There’s no need for that. Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Leila surmised if Sophie were to encounter Landon, it would surely upset her. There was no benefit in Sophie seeing him. Their paths weren’t meant to cross again.
With a resigned sigh, Landon absentmindedly pressed the elevator button. “I understand.” Leila let out a sigh of relief.
However, the sudden trembling of the elevator shattered her calm.
Her face drained of color, fear overtaking her as the elevator plunged with alarming speed. Gripping the elevator handrail, Leila felt an unfamiliar sensation of weightlessness, causing her to panic.
In a swift move, Landon pulled her into his arms. He frantically pressed every button on the panel in a futile attempt to stop their descent.
Despite his efforts, the elevator continued its relentless drop.
Terror gripped Leila so tightly that she couldn’t push him away. Luckily, the elevator jerked to a halt just shy of the third floor.
Landon let out a relieved breath, only to realize his shirt was damp. He discovered it was soaked with Leila’s tears.
